Police Uncover Plot as Two Students Fake Kidnapping to Extort ₦10 Million, Busted by Anambra Police in Dramatic Sting

 

A bizarre twist in the world of crime and deception unfolded in Anambra State recently, as two individuals were arrested by the state police for staging a fake kidnapping scheme in an attempt to extort ₦10 million from one of the suspect’s family. The dramatic revelation has sparked widespread reactions, raising concerns over rising moral decay among young people.

The Anambra State Police Command confirmed the arrest of Chinecherem Okonkwo, a 28-year-old female student of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), and her alleged accomplice, 30-year-old Chinecherem Aronu. The duo reportedly conspired to fake Okonkwo’s abduction, aiming to collect ransom money from her unsuspecting family.

According to a press statement issued by SP Tochukwu Ikenga, spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, the plot was exposed through a swift, intelligence-driven operation by the Rapid Response Squad. Acting on a report filed by Okonkwo’s family, who feared she had been kidnapped while on her way home, the operatives traced her location to a lodge at the UNIZIK Temporary Site in Awka. There, officers found her alive and well, in the company of Aronu, the male suspect believed to be the mastermind's boyfriend.

Investigations revealed that on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, Okonkwo contacted her family to inform them she was traveling home. After that call, her phone was switched off for the remainder of the day. Concern escalated the next day when an unidentified male voice called the family, claiming she had been abducted and demanding a ransom of ₦10 million for her release. The caller also issued threats, warning the family not to involve law enforcement.

Under pressure, and after some negotiation, the ransom demand was reduced to ₦3 million. The suspects then instructed the family to deposit ₦1 million into the victim's own bank account as a part payment, a move that would ultimately play a crucial role in their downfall.

SP Ikenga disclosed that both Okonkwo and Aronu confessed during interrogation to staging the kidnapping. Okonkwo admitted that the entire scheme was her idea, inspired by a movie she had recently watched. She also confessed to planning the incident as a way to raise funds for Aronu to start a business.

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has ordered that the two suspects be immediately charged in court. He expressed disappointment and concern over the disturbing trend of deceit and criminality among young adults. According to the Commissioner, incidents like this reflect a growing lack of values and responsibility among some youths.

He also warned that the Anambra State Police Command would not take such criminal acts lightly. CP Orutugu emphasized the importance of moral upbringing, urging parents and guardians to become more involved in their children’s lives and choices. He further advised the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior promptly.

This incident has ignited discussions both online and offline, with many Nigerians expressing shock at the extent some individuals would go to manipulate their own families. Others noted that such actions not only waste valuable police resources but also create unnecessary panic and trauma for loved ones.

While the suspects await their day in court, their story stands as a stark reminder of how easily technology, manipulation, and a lack of moral guidance can combine to produce destructive decisions. What started as a seemingly simple plan to raise money has now evolved into a full-scale criminal case that could carry serious legal consequences.

As the legal process unfolds, the Anambra State Police maintain their commitment to cracking down on all forms of criminal deception and restoring public trust. The public is encouraged to continue supporting law enforcement efforts through timely reporting of suspicious incidents and cooperation with investigations.